From Old Norse skeifr, from Proto-Germanic *skaibaz (“crooked”), of disputed ultimate origin. Perhaps from the same source as *skeuhaz (“frightened, shy”).[1] Another possibility is Proto-Indo-European *skeh₂iwos, the source of Latin scaevus (“on the left side”).[2] See also Swedish skev, Dutch scheef, German schief (from Low German).
skæv (neuter skævt, plural and definite singular attributive skæve)
Inflection of skæv | |||
---|---|---|---|
Positive | Comparative | Superlative | |
Indefinte common singular | skæv | skævere | skævest2 |
Indefinite neuter singular | skævt | skævere | skævest2 |
Plural | skæve | skævere | skævest2 |
Definite attributive1 | skæve | skævere | skæveste |
1) When an adjective is applied predicatively to something definite, the corresponding "indefinite" form is used. 2) The "indefinite" superlatives may not be used attributively. |